PRIVATE FIRST CLASS. ENTERED SERVICE ON MARCH 16, 1943. AFTER BASIC TRAINING HE WENT THROUGH JUMP SCHOOL AT FORT BENNING, GEORGIA. HE WAS ASSIGNED AS A MACHINE GUNNER IN COMPANY B, 517TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 17TH AIRBORNE DIVISION. BY THE END OF WWII THE 517TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT HAD SUSTAINED OVER 75 PERCENT CASUALTIES. HE WAS ONE OF ONLY SEVEN PARATROOPERS LEFT FROM COMPANY OF ORIGINAL 120 MEN ASSIGNED TO COMPANY B. BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS: ROME-ARNO, SOUTHERN FRANCE, RHINELAND, ARDENNES AND CENTRAL EUROPE. DECORATIONS AND CITATIONS: BRONZE STAR MEDAL, SILVER STAR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN SERVICE MEDAL WITH 5 BRONZE STARS AND 1 BRONZE ARROWHEAD AND THE PURPLE HEART FOR WOUNDS RECEIVED WHILE FIGHTING IN GERMANY ON FEBRUARY 7, 1945.